Report: Clippers' Donald Sterling attempting to halt sale of the Clippers
Donald Sterling's ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers is coming to an end. (Johnny Vy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is proceeding with a $1 billion lawsuit against the NBA over the sale of the team, his lawyer told Dan Woike of the Orange County Register.
Last week, Sterling agreed to drop the lawsuit and move forward with the sale of the team, which former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer agreed to purchase for $2 billion. Sterling's attorney Maxwell Blecher later told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that "the deal is off," and Sterling is no longer willing to allow the sale of the team to go forward.
Blecher emailed the The Wall Street Journalearlier Monday saying he thought the league's imposed $2.5 million fine and lifetime ban would go away once the sale of the team was finalized, but that idea was rebuffed by the NBA.
"There is absolutely no possibility that the lifetime ban will be rescinded or that the fine will be changed in any way," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.
According to the report, Blecher said Sterling was "ruminating" about the future of the lawsuit and "no decision has yet been made," but on Monday he told the Orange County Register the lawsuit was going forward "full steam ahead."
The NBA reiterated there was never a discussion in modifying Sterling's penalty and "any suggestion otherwise is complete fabrication."
More from the Wall Street Journal:
Blecher said that agreement was "based on an understanding which the NBA acknowledges was reasonable" that Sterling's lifetime ban and $2.5 million fine would be rescinded.
When asked if he had a response to what Silver said Sunday, Blecher said: "I read his 'comments.' He must know something I don't."
Blecher said the league's refusal to lessen the punishments against Sterling is the motivating factor in continuing with the lawsuit, and Silver's insistence on leveling the maximum penalty against his client was "just plain nasty."
GOLLIVER: Digest: NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Clippers, AC issues, age limit and more
